Mainstream media abdicating their role as agenda setters

By Allan Kipchirchir

I was shocked this week after reading an embarassing post on facebook from a reputable media establishment.They, along with other niggardly blogs and news websites were propagating a story, which to my opinion, and you’ll agree with me, should have been left for racy pullouts such as crazy Monday and pulse. 

You’ve probably heard the story , a county ICT minister caught pants down with a married MCA from the same county. Is that really a news story you’d be proud as a leading mainstream media be posting on facebook and twitter for all and sundry. I am not saying that they should ignore such stories, most, if not all newspapers are multifaceted and usually have pullouts with such stories to supplement their audience' appetite.

 But really, they should use social media cautiously. Majority of browsers online use such posts entirely, and links, especially if they don't have the newspaper's app on their phones and PC's. Profesionalism and ethics is quickly being tossed out of the window, and is being replaced by shallow sensational news stories . It’s preposterous!

They are even lowering social media, by competing with those callous blogs like ghafla and crazy Nairobian, who convincingly seem like they fabricate stories just to get readership. With the advent of internet technology, the number of blogs in Kenya has increased, and have even become popular, nearly superseding the traditional media in terms of readership. Top blogs record nearly half a million hits, a far cry from leading newspaper circulation. Fearing to be wiped out of the industry by these new kids on the block, they’ve followed suit, and they are even using such blogs as their blueprint, to catch up and remain relevant.

With scores of Kenyans embracing new media, there have cropped up numerous blogs and tabloids, who rely on such sensational news to get their ratings over the roof. Social media has also opened up avenues for various stakeholders to advance their cause, media not exceptional.Instead of undermining morals and decency, they should use facebook and twitter to leverage their role as agenda setters